To remedy this it is the custom in some clubs to allow a player to bid the full value of his hand. If the seller accepts, he scores to within one of game; but if he refuses, he must make as many as bid, even if he does not actually want them. It is one of the fine points of the game for the seller to refuse when the number of points offered would put the bidder out if he was successful. There is no penalty for bidding out of turn. If a player chooses to expose to a preceding player what he is prepared to bid, that is usually to his own disadvantage. _=Bidding to the Board.=_ Modern players usually adopt the practice of bidding to the board, eldest hand having the first bid. In this form of the game the points bid count to no one, and anyone can bid up to four, no matter what the scores are. No one can claim the privilege of pitching the trump for as many as bid, as each in turn must bid higher or pass. _=Playing.
When a player with a brelan has frightened off his opponents with a big bet, it is usual to _=stifle=_ the brelan, as it is considered more to the player’s advantage to leave his adversaries under the impression that he may have been bluffing than to show the hand for the sake of the one white counter to which it entitles him. With three cards of one suit to the King, it is usual to bet high, in order to drive out anything but a brelan. Any player holding ace and another of the suit will of course abandon his hand, as his point is worth only 21 at the most, and the player with three to the King will get the benefit of his cards when the point is counted. AMBIGU. _=Cards.=_ Ambigu is played with a pack of forty cards, the K Q J of each suit being deleted. The cards rank in the order of their numerical value, the 10 being the highest, and the ace the lowest. Two packs may be used alternately. _=Players.=_ Any number from two to six may form the table, and the arrangements for seats, first deal, etc.
The Mort is the dead hand, which is turned face up on the table. The Vivant is his partner, who sits opposite him, and plays his cards for him. The Left and Right are the adversaries who sit on the left and right of _=Mort=_. Special attention must be called to the use of the term _=adversaries=_ in any description of Mort. It is used exclusively to designate the two partners opposed to the Mort and Vivant. In all other cases where opposition is implied, the term _=opponents=_ must be used. When necessary to distinguish the dealer from the first, second, or third hand, it is usual to add the letters employed for that purpose in whist; placing them inside the diagram of the table, thus:-- [Illustration: V +---------+ | z | L | b a | R | y | +---------+ M ] This diagram shows that Vivant dealt, and that the adversary on the Right of Mort had the original lead. _=With Three Players.=_ Vivant having selected his seat and cards, the adversaries may select their seats. It is usual for the strongest adversary to sit Right.
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